--- title: You Are Representing God Now description: Amanda Lawrence shares advice and encouragement in an open letter to her son before his Confirmation. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20220610%20ALawrence%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/you-are-representing-god-now#) [PARENTING](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/parenting) # You Are Representing God Now Jun 10, 2022 8:30:00 AM  |  by [Amanda Lawrence](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/amanda-lawrence) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20220610%20ALawrence%201.png) *Amanda Lawrence shares advice and encouragement in an open letter to her son before his Confirmation.* --- My dearest son, As you have realized, life as a Catholic is not easy. It's a commitment to growing and evolving in the name of God. It means going to church often. It means forgiving your enemies and praying for their salvation. It means accepting everyone as a wounded, broken individual, including yourself. We all have faults. Everyone struggles. Remember that. Always be mindful of your behavior towards others and yourself. You are representing God now. Sadly, persecution is also part of this journey. Self-inflicted ignorance occurs every day. Many people cannot wrap their broken, stunted brains around God. And so, they invoke mental gymnastics to convince themselves that He isn't real. Anger is one response to their opinion, but gentle pity is a more reasonable approach. Getting angry at ignorance is a colossal waste of energy. Turn the other cheek instead; this is not an easy piece of advice to adhere to, but it's the advice Jesus would offer. Your goal in life is to be like Jesus. Make Him your example. Self-discipline stokes the fires of faith, so PRAY often! Pray the Rosary. Read the Bible. Go to church. Love your enemies. Live joyfully. Spirituality blossoms like a flower when you cultivate it; your job is to help it bloom brighter than the rest of the weeds erupting through the dirt. I know you will rise above those who do not serve God. You are a wonderful human. I am so proud of your kindness, intelligence, creativity, and ambition. Unfortunately, some people will mistreat you and take advantage of your compassionate nature. Do not let that make you bitter. Forgive the criminal, even when you hate the crime. Forgiveness allows you to move beyond all that petty foolishness and live peacefully. You will be happier if you try to forget how ignorant people interact. Life is too short to hate. And you won't ever have to live it alone. The Holy Spirit will help. Ask your patron saint for strength and guidance. He will intervene, too. Don't be afraid to talk to God. Or priests. They're here to help you grow into a godly man. You got this! I love you; Dad loves you! We're so proud of you. Never forget that! Thank you for praying for us. It means the world to me. Love you always, Mom > [Click to tweet: > Your goal in life is to be like Jesus. Make Him your example. #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/zpc7b) ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20220610%20ALawrence%202.png?width=1080&name=20220610%20ALawrence%202.png)   --- Copyright 2022 Amanda Lawrence Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-are-representing-god-now%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-are-representing-god-now%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-are-representing-god-now%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=You%20Are%20Representing%20God%20Now) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-are-representing-god-now%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fyou-are-representing-god-now%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Amanda Lawrence](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/ALawrence_Photo.jpg) ### [Amanda Lawrence](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/amanda-lawrence) Amanda Lawrence is a writer, mother, orator, librarian, and beloved daughter of God. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. ## Related Blog Articles [ Pruning the Fig Tree Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/pruning-the-fig-tree) [ YES, Lord Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/yes-lord) [ Meatless Friday: Farro with Mushrooms and Roasted Vegetables Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-farro-with-mushrooms-and-roasted-vegetables) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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